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Business

Curriculum Leader: Mrs C Jordan - jordanc@saintgeorgescofe.co.uk

The world of Business will be explored using business models, theories and techniques to support analysis of contemporary business issues and situations.  

In class we will learn through topics and issues that are relevant in today’s society – students will study key contemporary developments such as digital technology, business ethics, and globalisation. 

Subject Requirements

Business & Finance at GCSE Level will help build a solid foundation for this A Level course. However, it is not a requirement to have previously studied. 

Intent

Business students will have opportunities to engage with the real world through class discussions, visits and guest speakers. The students will have opportunities to understand government and law-making as well as how global politics and economies influence our everyday lives. 

Implementation

Saint George’s offers two Business-related tracks for students to choose at Sixth Form.

For students wanting to know what business is, the importance of managers, leadership and decision-making as well as how to improve marketing, operational, financial and human resource performance, and how to analyse the strategic direction and manage change, we offer AQA’s A Level in Business. The course is broken down into ten topics of study over two years. 

We ensure that SEND and disadvantaged children are given the necessary support in class to fully access the Curriculum and that equal opportunities are given to all.

Impact

This will give all students an understanding of society in order to flourish in the wider community following their completion of the study. Achieving the qualification will allow students to access further and higher education opportunities in courses such as law, accountancy, finance, marketing and procurement as well as access apprenticeships at level 3 and above.

Topics

The course is broken down into ten topics of study over two years. At AS level students study topics 1-6 and 7-10 at A2.

There are 3 exams at the end of Year 13; all are externally assessed.

Subject Module Subject Level
Subject Content
1 AS Level What is Business?
2 AS Level Managers, Leadership and Decision-Making
3 AS Level Decision-Making to Improve Marketing Performance
4 AS Level Decision-Making to Improve Operational Performance
5 AS Level Decision-Making to Improve Financial Performance
6 AS Level Decision-Making to Improve Human Resource Performance
7 A2 Level Analysing the Strategic Position of a Business
8 A2 Level Choosing Strategic Direction
9 A2 Level Strategic Methods: How to Pursue Strategies
10 A2 Level Managing Strategic Change

 

Year 12 (AS Level) Information

Six units are covered in year 12 and focus on business tactics:

Unit 1: What is Business? This covers the legal entity and the purpose and objectives of businesses as well as entrepreneurism.

Unit 2: Leadership and Management. This unit focuses on management and leadership styles which influence the objectives and outcomes of a business, and its mission.

Unit 3: Marketing Performance. An in-depth look at the impact of marketing on a business as well as an understanding of the influence of big data and technology on business success.

Unit 4: Operational Performance. This unit analyses measurements of operational success and efficiency as well as looking at the impact of procurement, logistics and supply chain and the benefits and drawbacks of different production processes.

Unit 5: Financial Performance. In this unit, financial tools such as balance sheets and profit and loss are analysed along with understanding the impact of borrowing and sources of funding.

Unit 6: HR Performance. This looks at the importance of HR data and different styles of Human resource management and the external influences on any company’s biggest asset; people.

 

Year 13 Information

In year 13, four units are covered, and the course moves to look at strategic decision-making

Unit 7: Analysing the strategic position. This unit covers the analysis of the internal and external strengths of the business and the influence it has.

Unit 8: Choosing Strategic Direction. This unit looks at the factors influencing which markets to compete in and which products to offer.

Unit 9: Strategic Methods: How to Pursue Strategies. This unit looks at how to manage and overcome problems of growth.

Unit 10: Managing Strategic Change. This unit looks at the causes, pressures and values for change and how to overcome barriers.

Assessments

AS Level 

  • Paper 1: Business 1 - Written Exam (1 hour 30 minutes) - 50% of AS Grade
  • Paper 2: Business 2 - Written Exam (1 hour 30 minutes) - 50% of AS Grade

A2 Level

  • Paper 1: Business 1 - Written Exam (2 hours) - 33.3% of A-Level Grade
  • Paper 2: Business 2 - Written Exam (2 hours) - 33.3% of A-Level Grade
  • Paper 3: Business 3 - Written Exam (2 hours) - 33.3% of A-Level Grade

Examining board link: AQA AS and A-level Business

Business Future Paths

Many business studies students go into management and administration jobs in commercial businesses, and a business studies qualification can also be helpful to get into finance, banking or insurance.  But skills in management and marketing are also required in other areas such as charity, social work and local government, while knowledge of the business is also important for consultancy, certain teaching jobs and for financial journalists.

For more information on Careers, please visit here.

Extra Resources

Revision Materials

Essential Textbooks:

Reading for understanding is essential in this subject as pupils are required to analyse and/or evaluate content from case study material as part of their disciplinary learning and, incidentally, to access the highest grades at A Level.

Available on Class Teams:

  • AQA Business Knowledge organisers for each unit studied
  • AQA GCSE Formula List
  • AQA GCSE Business Key Term Glossary
  • Lesson Powerpoints
  • Resources list of wider websites